The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs. Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Friday 29 August 2015, received a delegation of the media Regulatory body of the National Press Council - Conseil National de la Presse (CNP), led by its President, Mr. Raphaël Lapké.



Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Lakpé said that the encounter was part of visits being carried out by his organization to meet with political parties and civil society groups, as the country prepares for presidential election, which he hopes will take place in a peaceful environment.



With regard to the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the CNP President further explained: "We came to see the Special Representative who has always been our partner, so that she could help us in our mission to create the right conditions for a peaceful electoral environment and elections," he said, adding that he had taken note of the commitments and proposals made in support of CNP.



"In order to guarantee equal access to the media for all candidates, the CNP has taken a certain number of measures, such as ensuring that the views expressed are peaceful. With regard to coverage of the election, we are going to implement existing laws which require that during the electoral period, especially during the campaign, all candidates should have equal access to the state media. With regards to Fraternité Matin (Governement-controlled newspaper) and the Ivorian Press Agency - Agence ivoirienne de presse (AIP), we are currently drawing lots to allow each candidate to be able to share its programme with voters and transmit their message during the 15 days of the electoral campaign. For other issues, the Monitoring Committee has organized itself in order to be more pro-active," Mr. Lakpé concluded.



Since 2005, UNOCI has been supporting regulatory and self-regulating bodies through the strengthening of media capacities and the organization of high-level meetings to help journalists fully play their role during key periods of the social and political life of Côte d'Ivoire.